Read issue 84 here.
Perhaps we were looking through rose-colored glasses when we saw 2020 in the rearview mirror and thought our pandemic woes were behind us. We may have naively believed 2021, and a vaccine, would bring an end to masking, distancing, and quarantining. Now as we begin 2022, we find ourselves traveling the same road with the same warnings and potholes to avoid. Considering that, it is no surprise to see resilience is a common thread in this issue. Humor and an appreciation for the little things are along for the ride.
Courtney B. Cook’s “Matchmaker” is a sweet, lighthearted story about a perceptive young man who is keenly aware his two friends have an interest in each other, before they are willing to admit to it. This endearing story is sure to put a smile on your face.
“The Other Side” by Tereza Crvenkovic recounts the twists and turns of the author’s journey following a stroke in her mid-forties. During the rehabilitation process she realizes true recovery hinges on her ability to put who she was before, behind her, in an effort to free herself from the burden of trying to be who she once was.
While a photographer struggles to capture the portrait of a less than willing fourth-grader, a solution develops unexpectedly in “Saturday Morning-A Portrait,” a delightful short story by Linda McMullen.
Other authors in this issue share experiences of hearing loss, stroke, aging, fragility, sepsis, caregiving, a lack of care, and in the midst of everything—peace. The featured artist, Erik Jensen, acknowledges the importance of patience and stepping back from what seems overwhelming in order to see the bigger picture. Despite difficult circumstances, there is always something to be thankful for, even if it is something as simple as breath, the subject of John Dycus’ poem, “Breath of Life.”
Take a moment today to be grateful for the little things. Breathe in. Breathe out. Relax. Get comfortable and enjoy this issue of Kaleidoscope.